NW Sports

Beavers fall to Ducks in Pac-12 Tourney

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Angus Brandt scored a game-high 20 points and Roberto Nelson added 19, but Oregon State lost in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament to Oregon, 88-74, in the 342nd Civil War, presented by PacificSource Health Plans, The Oregon 529 College Savings Network, McDonalds, Wells Fargo Bank and Your Local Ford Stores. on Wednesday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Oregon State (16-15, 8-10 Pac-12) was crippled by 15 turnovers that led to 21 points for Oregon (23-8, 10-8), who capitalized on the Beavers' mistakes.

"When you play an NCAA Tournament team like them, you have to guard them a little bit better, so that was disappointing," Oregon State head coach Craig Robinson said. "That being said, I couldn't be more proud of these guys and what they have done to turn the culture around at this program to get this thing jump started in the right direction."

Brandt was efficient, going 5-of-9 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. The Aussie also grabbed three boards for Oregon State.

Nelson was a warrior in the first half, scoring 13 of his 19 points in the opening frame, which kept the game close in the first 20 minutes of play.

Hallice Cooke tallied 12 points, a career-high eight rebounds and four assists for the Beavers. The freshman also shot the ball well, knocking down 5-of-7 from the floor.

Joseph Young led Oregon with 19 points behind an 8-of-11 shooting performance, while Jason Calliste impressed with 17 points off the bench for the Ducks.

The Beavers came out with a vengeance, taking an early 9-0 lead in the contest after Devon Collier got a bunny to fall under the hoop at 16:22.

Brandt extended the Oregon State edge to 15-5 at the 13:38 mark by drilling a jumper near the baseline.

Oregon would respond, going on a 12-0 run to take a 17-15 lead with just under 10 minutes to play in the opening frame. Brandt broke up the run by cashing in on a three-ball at 9:05.

Nelson would keep the Beavers in it, converting on an and-1 at 1:36 that brought Oregon State within four, 39-35. On the next possession, Brandt helped the Beavs cut it to three from the line with under a minute to play.

Cooke penetrated his way into the paint and got a lay-in to fall in the final seconds of the first half to get Oregon State within one, 41-40, going into the locker room.

At the intermission, the Beavers were shooting an unbelievable 73.7 percent from the field (14-for 19), but Oregon was able to take advantage of 10 Oregon State turnovers that led to 15 points for the Ducks. The Beavers exercised their advantage inside, outscoring their opponent 20-12 in the paint in the first 20 minutes of play.

On the first possession of the final period, Oregon State came out and grabbed the lead, 42-41, after Brandt got a hook to drop.

Brandt kept his hot shooting night going, splashing his third triple at 14:26 that put the Beavs ahead 57-54.

Oregon would march out on a 9-0 run that gave the Ducks a 63-57 edge with 11:42 remaining in the game. The bleeding would continue as the run reached 17-2 and pushed Oregon to a 12-point lead, 71-59, with 7:22 left to play.

The Ducks would hold onto their lead for the remainder of the contest, moving on in the Pac-12 Tournament to face UCLA.